Sidestep Heads Pago Pago Stakes 2013 Odds

Golden Slipper dreams go on the line for a number of two-year-olds at Rosehill Guineas Day on Saturday including those of the Peter Snowden-trained Sidestep who has opened favourite in an open 2013 Pago Pago Stakes betting markets.

Good Job Bro is one of the single-figure chances in the 2013 Pago Pago Stakes odds for this Saturday. Photo: Steve Hart.

One of two races in Sydney this weekend offering the winning juvenile a ballot free ride into the $3.5 million Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) back at Rosehill Gardens Saturday week, the $175,000 Group 2 Pago Pago Stakes (1200m) is down to 10 starters following the early scratching of #11 Zaba Zab Doo.

Of the remaining hopefuls it is Exceed And Excel colt Sidestep topping the Pago Pago Stakes odds at a quote of $3.

Second to Criterion, who is now second favourite for the Golden Slipper behind Overreach, in the Black Opal Stakes earlier in the month Sidestep started in last Saturday’s Todman Stakes.

They threw their rider Corey Brown out of the saddle however and missed their chance to turn the tables on Criterion who went on to take out the feature.

This weekend is their final chance to atone before a possible Golden Slipper start, for which they pay around $26 in the markets, Kerrin McEvoy to ride them from barrier seven.

The bookies are having a hard time separating the rest of the Pago Pago Stakes field with four of the other hopes under $10 in the markets with:

#2 Good Job Bro ($5) – Wide barrier to overcome but is well tried with four starts to date, John Sargent’s Choisir colt last seen running fifth to All The Talk in the Group 3 Skyline Stakes which they will be out to improve on having won at Warwick Farm in the mud the start before, 18th on the Golden Slipper order of entry

#3 Dothraki ($5.50) – Comes off a Skyline third, this Gerald Ryan-trained son of Mossman a winner at Canterbury back in December of the 1200m, 21st on the Golden Slipper order of entry

#6 Diamond Oasis ($6 – Should get a gun run from gate four having won their debut race last start at Gosford when overcoming barrier 12 of 14, John O’Shea’s improving Lonhro colt having won a subsequent trial at Randwick on March 22 over some decent types including Whittington

#1 Fuerza ($6.50) – Bjorn Baker-trained galloper with a consistent record so far most recently seen running fourth in the Skyline

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